The Ucas deadline has arrived. Take a look at these last minute questions and
make sure your university application is sent by 18:00 (GMT)

The university application deadline is about to arrive. If you want your application to be considered by institutions, you must make sure everything is sent off by 18:00 (GMT) on Friday January 15.

There are many parts of your application you need to have in place, so it is worth running through a checklist in good time before the day arrives.

Ucas application deadline

To help with any last minute concerns, you put your questions to Ucas and Telegraph Education over the weekend. Here are the answers that Raxa Karadia, from Ucas, and Josie Gurney-Read offered.

I left school two years ago and decided over Christmas that I would like to apply for university. I contacted my school who said they could provide a reference, but I'm worried that it's a bit late now. If I think I'm going to be late with my application, would it be better to just wait until next year?

"Also, I am redoing my maths A-level. Should I put the actual grade I got 2 years ago? Or can I say that the grade is pending. What would be best?"

Raxa Karadia: You should still be able to apply before the deadline which is 18:00 on 15th January. You can still apply after the deadline if you need to, and we will process the application, and send it to your choices. Some universities/colleges will still consider late applicants, so it may be a good idea to contact them to check this before you make your choices, if applying late.

With regard to A-levels you should enter the qualification twice – once with the grade you received, and again to list the qualification pending to show that you’re retaking it.

I would like to ask you about filling out an application for transfer students. I study in Poland, but would like to transfer for second year to one of the UK universities. I have a problem with filling in the education section, specifically with qualifications for first year of university. Which option should I choose to add my modules?"

Raxa: You should enter your current university in the education section. You need to click on the option to add a school/college/centre and then click on 'Find'. In the pop-up box you need to state the name of the university and then click on 'Search'.

The name won’t be found and a red link will appear in the pop-up box: 'My school / centre is not listed here'. You should click on this, and this will allow you to manually state the name of the university on the form. You can then enter dates of attendance to September 2016, select “no qualifications received” under this, and then use your personal statement section to enter the modules you have taken so far.

Submit your questions and get them answered on Monday 11 January Photo: Ucas

What proportion of my statement should be given to extra curricular activities? I'm worried I've written too much."

Josie Gurney-Read: You should allow 60 to 70 per cent of your statement for your academic qualifications and why you want to study the subject in question. What reading have you done around the subject, what work experience have you undertaken that's relevant to the course?

Of course, this will vary across degree subjects (and universities - Oxford and Cambridge typically only want students to focus on academics), but as a rule of thumb, this would be a good ratio to follow. Where you do mention extra-curricular activities, try and relate them to your course or highlight why they make you an appealing applicant.

Don't just mention your success on the county hockey team, without talking about teamwork and commitment, and your desire to continue playing and being an active part of the team at university.

What actually happens if I'm a day late in applying? What are my chances? Should I contact the university directly to find out?

"What about if I can only find three universities I want to apply to? Can I apply for the other two later? When can I do that? Will I be at a disadvantage?"

Raxa: You can still apply after the deadline, and we will process the application, and send it to your choices. Some universities/colleges will still consider late applicants, so it may be a good idea to contact them to check this before you make your choices, if applying late.

You can add more choices later using Track, subject to places still being available. It’s best to contact your new choices direct to ask if they are considering late applications, and that the course is still open.

I think I'm going to drop out of my current course and apply elsewhere. Do I still need to submit my application through Ucas? Are there different rules - I only decided recently"

Raxa: You need to apply through Ucas again and will need to submit a new application. You can apply here. It’s the same application form and process.

Josie: Before you make this decision please do speak to someone at your university, like your course tutor. It may be that you could simply transfer to another course, or in fact, change a couple of your modules. If you really do want to drop out, then as Raxa says you will need to reapply. Make sure you consider what it was you disliked about your first course - was it just the course? Or was it the university?

You will also need to notify the Student Loans Company as soon as possible if you make this decision.

I'm not 100 per cent certain I want to go to university next year. I've got everything ready to apply but I'm just not sure. Should I apply anyway, and then think about it later?"

Raxa: It’s probably best to submit the application form before the deadline to give yourself the best chance, in case you do want to go ahead. All applications submitted by the deadline will be considered, but it is up to the individual universities/colleges whether they will consider late applications. If you are made offers, you can decline them later.

Josie: I would say it is definitely best to submit your application. If you change your mind you could always ask your university to defer your place until 2017, or you could decline your offers and apply elsewhere through Ucas Extra, or you could decide to withdraw your application at a later date. Applying before the deadline just means you have potentially more options in place when you are deciding on your next move.

I applied a while ago to meet the Oxbridge deadline and still haven't heard back from three of my other universities. I didn't get into Cambridge. When will I hear back?"

Raxa: We ask your choices to get back to you by the end of March if possible, but this is an advisory date. They actually have until May 5 to make a decision for you.

Josie: It can be easy to panic in this situation, as some of your friends may already have heard back from their universities. But universities have until May to make a decision, so sit tight. It doesn't mean they are going to reject you if you haven't heard yet.

Ucas dates for your diary

January 15: applications for the majority of courses to arrive at Ucas by 18:00 GMT to ensure equal consideration February 25: Ucas Extra opensJune 30: last day to apply through Ucas before you are entered into ClearingJuly 4: last date to apply through ExtraAugust 18: results day and beginning of full Clearing process; Adjustment opensAugust 31: Adjustment endsSeptember 20: final deadline for applications to 2015 courses. Applications must arrive by 18:00 GMTOctober 20: the final deadline for adding Clearing choices and for universities to accept Clearing applicants